The Delhi Development Authority on Monday saw approval of chapters on environment and transport in Master Plan 2021 in its board meeting chaired by the Lieutenant-Governor. This is in keeping with the DDA’s emphasis on transit-oriented development (TOD), green buildings and rain water harvesting to improve quality of life in the city.
The review of the Master Plan was taken up in 2011 and with the latest approval, it is almost complete and now awaits final notification to be issued by the Ministry of Urban Development.
The first TOD project at Karkardooma will be taken up soon and a MoU between the DDA and the National Building Construction Corporation, which will be taking up the project on behalf of the DDA, was also approved in the meeting.
The revised Environment Chapter envisages creation of a sustainable physical and social environment for improving quality of life as major objectives of the plan. The city’s environment as per the provisions can essentially be seen in terms of urban management- the environment per se or the habitat or the services management.
The emphasis is on natural features and resources including the elements of air and noise, water (water bodies, river, lake, drains, ponds and ground water) and other with reference to open spaces, green areas and other surface and sub-surface condition.
The DDA also said the traditional practice of harvesting rain water in city through ponds, tanks and lakes and natural wetlands is important to revive the modern city.
The concept of green buildings has also been included, while measures for protecting water bodies, creating natural drainage channels, improving water sustainability and ground water recharging are proposed to be decentralised and done at local level.
The highlight of the transportation chapter is the approval of the transit-oriented development, which will change the overall planning and development of the city by permitting flexible movement.
The DDA said it will reduce travel demand and pressure on roads. It will also facilitate people to live, work and seek entertainment within walking distance of station and thus balance/ redistribute densities over the city along MRTS corridors. It will also help pedestrian movement and sharing of public places, green recreational facility and amenities.
With the latest approval, the Master Plan 2021 is almost complete and now awaits final notification to be issued by the Ministry of Urban Development
